Eucharist. Instruction Curriculum. Goals. What is needed

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1 Eucharist Instruction Curriculum Session 1 We Gather Goals To acquaint children with the gathering part of the liturgy, why we do what we do and how we do it. What is needed Set up for the Environment: white placemat or cloth pillar candle or large votive candle Bible Icon or picture of Jesus small clear bowl of water Arrange a tour of the Church to include: Baptismal font Certificate of Baptism candle water in pitcher towel Paschal candle chrism parish registry Items for Storytelling: (Using the Story over the Water) strip of dark blue felt (1 x 4 ) small globe wooden people of God 2 wooden figures for Jesus and John the Baptizer dove very small pitcher cross glass rocks image or figure of the Risen Christ (If you choose to use a Godly Play story, a listing of materials can be found with the lesson.) Craft/Responding 2 activities are given. Choose the activity. A supply list is given with each activity. Celebrating juice crackers cups napkins 1

2 Background for Teacher The family of God gathers each Sunday to be together, to pray, to hear the family stories, to talk and to eat. We then leave to go out and be with others and share what we have learned. We are members of our families through birth, adoption, marriage. We are members of God s family through our baptism. In this lesson we focus on the family of God gathering to worship. Introducing the Lesson What do we do when we get together with our families? (Encourage responses of storytelling, greeting one another, sharing a meal.) What do we do when we get together as the family of God? (Hear stories, sing, share a meal, visit.) Discuss how we are made members of God s family through our baptisms. We are given a new name, Christian. God s family comes together for a celebration each Sunday. It is called the Eucharist or Holy Communion. The Lesson Preparing to Learn Have the group sit in a circle on the floor or on chairs around a table big enough to hold everyone. Setting the Worship Environment In the center of the circle place a white cloth or placemat. Reverently place the candle in the center. Light it and sit for a moment. Then place the Bible open to the story of Jesus baptism (Matthew 3:13-17; Luke 3:21-22). Add an icon of Jesus and the small bowl of water. If you will use the Story of the Water, add small clear rocks to the bowl of water. Sit quietly for a moment. Tell the children that the candle reminds us that Jesus said he was the Light of the world and at our baptims we too receive this light. We are members of God s family and we have come together to worship. Take the children into the church to look at the baptismal font. Perhaps they would like to pour water into the font. The Paschal Candle can be examined. Notice the current year, decorations such as vines, grapes, flames, doves, red pins to remind us of the wounds of Jesus. They might like to look at and smell the chrism. Look at the baptismal certificates and the parish registry. Then have the children sit on the floor around the font and present this story or a Godly Play baptism story. The Story of the Water (taken from the Thanksgiving over the Water, BCP p. 306) (Spread the blue cloth out.) We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. (place the globe on the cloth) Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. (The children can move the figures of the children of Israel going through the Red Sea, led by Moses. Fold the blue felt strips back to allow the people to walk on dry land.) 2

3 The Story (cont.) In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit, as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us. (Put the dove and John the Baptist and Jesus figures on the cloth) Through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life. (Set cross on the cloth.) We thank you Father, for the water of Baptism. (Set bowl with clear glass rocks on the cloth.) In it, we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. (Set figure of risen Christ on cloth.) Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. (Place the bowl with the clear rocks on the cloth.) Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Place the people of God out on the cloth.) I invite you to come forward to receive a symbol of your baptism and the ministry to which you are called. (All come forward to receive some water splashed on their hands and a clear rock put in their hands.) Responding 1. Coloring pictures can be found in the Resource Manual, pp Small glass votive holder decorated with baptismal symbols (doves, water drops, waves) using stained glass paints. Include a small votive candle and write the child s baptismal date and name on the votive holder with a Sharpie marker. Supplies needed: Small glass votive holder for each child. Small votive candle for each child Sharpie markers in variety of colors or Stained glass paints and brushes Water Brushes 3. Stenciling A shell pattern can be found on page 4 of the Resource Manual. Cut this pattern out, being sure to cut out the interior pieces to create a stencil. Provide a stencil pattern of a shell for each child. Tape to a piece of plain muslin and using stenciling crayons color around the edge of the pattern. Take a brush and sweep the stenciling crayon markings onto the fabric. Allow to dry for a bit and then take a Sharpie marker in a contrasting color and add the veins of the shell, some water droplets and the child s name and baptismal date. The piece can be mounted in a small embroidery hoop. Spray with a fixative (away from the children.) A small ribbon can be tied at the top of the hoop so that the child can hang the picture at home. Supplies needed: Small embroidery hoop (3-4 ) for each child 6 square of plain muslin for each child Stenciling crayons (children can share) Stenciling brush for each child 12 length of very narrow ribbon for each child Shell stenciling patterns clear hairspray (stenciling fixative) You can use one pattern and trace it on clear contact paper, cutting out the inner portion of the shell and affix the template onto each child s muslin square. This works well to anchor the fabric and allows all the children to work at the same time. Follow directions on stenciling crayon box. 3

4 Celebrating Close the session with a small cup of juice and some crackers for each child. Do ask if any children have food allergies and be accommodating. Have a brief and simple discussion about the items in the worship center, or about the items set out during the story. Close with prayer. Encourage the children to pray their intercessions as well. Be sure to inclure prayers of Thanksgiving. After the Session What went well? Where did you not have enough time? Did you have too much time? Going Forth What do you need for the next session? Ask how the children will use what they learned today during the week. Extinguish the candle in the worship center and say: Let us go into the world in peace to love and to serve. Alleluia! Children respond: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. What would you most like to remember from this time together? (Do not use Alleluias in Advent or Lent.) Published by the Christian Formation Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Copyright 2010 The Episcopal Diocese of Texas 4

5 Eucharist Instruction Curriculum Session 2 We Hear the Word of God Goals Families have stories. The Church has a story too. We hear these stories at every Eucharist. What is needed Set up for the environment : White placemat or cloth Pillar candle or candle in larger votive Bible Items for telling the story: Pictures of families Bible Hymnal Response: A 11 x 14 piece of manila drawing paper for each child, divided into 3 sections, marked with a black marker. On the left most section letter at the bottom A Family Story. The right most section A Bible Story and in the middle section We are all in the Story. Crayons, colored pencils, markers, water colors. Arrange a tour of the Church to include: lectern pulpit Bible A family story We are all in the Story A Bible story 5

6 Background for Teacher When families get together they visit, tell stories. These stories help the family know who they are and what is going on in their lives. When the church gathers for worship we hear the stories of our faith the Old Testament stories, the Psalms, the stories of the early Church usually through the words of Peter or Paul, and the stories of Jesus ministry the Gospel. These Old Testament stories come from the part of the Bible that we share with our Jewish brothers and sisters. We will hear stories of our church fathers and mothers like Moses, Samuel, Ruth, Esther, and David, and the prophets like Isaiah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Micah who lived before Jesus. The Psalms are the oldest songs of God s people. These were the hymns that Jesus would have sung in his worship at the Temple. The Epistle stories are like letters or s that were written to early Christians to help them on their journeys. The last reading is from the Gospel. These are stories about Jesus and his ministry and the stories he told. Gospel means good news and the good news is that Jesus loves us. The Gospels are the first four books in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This reading is so important that we stand for this reading and sometimes there is even a little procession. In this part of our worship we also pray, sing hymns and listen to these stories. In this lesson we focus on the Bible stories of our faith. Preparing to Learn Have the group sit in a circle on the floor or on chairs around a table big enough to hold everyone. Setting the Worship Environment In the center of the circle place a white cloth or placemat. Reverently place the candle you have chosen. Light it and sit for a moment. Then place the Bible open to one of the stories read in church the closest Sunday to your date. Add an icon of Jesus and storyteller doll or picture. Sit quietly for a moment. Tell the children that the candle reminds us that Jesus said he was the Light of the world and at our baptisms we too receive this light. We are members of God s family and we have come together to worship. Introducing the Lesson Talk about family gatherings, reviewing briefly from first session. Who tells the funniest stories in your family? Whose stories do you like best? What stories do you tell? We hear stories every Sunday in church. Some are funny, some are like songs, some are like letters and some are wonderful stories that Jesus told. Visit the church and look at the lectern, the pulpit. Allow the children to read something from the Bible on the lectern. If your lectern has an eagle as part of it, talk about the significance of the eagle and its reference to John. If a layreader could be present they could show the children how they stand and read (briefly). If an organist/choirmaster could be present they could help the children in the singing of a Psalm or a simple hymn. Allow the children to stand in the pulpit. Ask them what they would say to everyone. 6

7 The Lesson Show the children the Bible and talk about the Old Testament mothers and fathers and prophets, the Psalms, the Epistles and the Gospels. The Bible is like a library. If you use either Godly Play or Catechesis, use the Books of the Bible materials to tell the story. Tell your favorite Bible story very simply and briefly. (You are modeling for the children so that they too can tell their favorite Bible story.) Celebrating Close the session with a small cup of juice and some crackers for each child. Do ask if any children have food allergies and be accommodating. Have a brief and simple discussion of the items in the worship center. Have a closing prayer (one of your own choosing or one from the Resource Manual, p. 9). Be sure to include prayers of Thanksgiving. Responding Explain to the children that they will be drawing 3 pictures, saving the middle picture for the last. Fold an 11x14 piece of paper into thirds and draw a line down each fold. (See diagram on page 5). Label the left side A Family Story, the middle We are all in the Story, and the right section A Bible Story. Part of hearing the Word of God is putting yourself into the story. God s peoples stories did not end with the last verse in the Bible. God continues to interact with us in our lives today and we should do likewise. Children may have no problem with this at all, but do encourage them to think of how they would feel eating with Jesus, walking with Moses, watching sheep, etc. Connect the Bible story with their lives. Going Forth Ask how the children will use what they learned today during the week. Extinguish the candle in the worship center and say: Let us go into the world in peace to love and to serve. Alleluia! Children respond: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. (Do not use Alleluias in Advent or Lent.) In this lesson the children are ancouraged to draw a story about their family in the left colum. In the right column they are encouraged to draw a picture of the Bible story you told in the Lesson today, or a Bible story of their choosing. Make sure their name is on the drawing and collect them. Tell the children they will draw the middle picture at the next session. 7

8 After the Session What went well? Where did you not have enough time? Did you have too much time? What do you need for the next session? What would you most like to remember from this time together? Published by the Christian Formation Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Copyright 2010 The Episcopal Diocese of Texas 8

9 Eucharist Instruction Curriculum Session 3 We Respond to the Word Goals To help children begin to understand the importance of putting themselves into the biblical story, the story of God s family. Our stewardship is one way we respond to God s word too. What is needed Set up for the environment: White placemat or cloth Pillar candle or candle in larger votive Bible Icon of Jesus Storyteller doll or picture of doll from Resource Manual, p. 5 For the Story: Eucharist cards (see Appendix 1 of the Resource Section), or Godly Play Circle of the Eucharist cards, or the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd version. Book of Common Prayer For the Response: *Depending on the choice of response: Different kinds of markers, crayons, colored pencils Different colored 4 x 5 notecards Great supply of stickers for the cards Their kept work from last week in order to draw the 3rd portion of the picture. Bible story coloring books 9

10 Background for Teacher We have come together as the family of God. We have sung praises, we have prayed and we have heard God s word through the Old Testament, Psalms, Epistles and the words of Jesus through the Gospel. What does this mean for us? The sermon is a time in the service in which we hear someone explain to us the readings how they are tied together, what they meant then and what they mean to our lives today. Just like children will ask their parents or teachers to explain something to them, we turn to our leaders in the congregation to help us understand. We can then think about how we will go out that week and share Jesus love with others. We will also hear musical offerings from a choir. If we listen carefully we can hear either actual words that were read from scripture or something of the theme. This offering from the choir is like our offerings that we will give. We will then say a Creed some words that explain that we believe what we have heard, along with Christians all over the world. We will pray for ourselves, the world and others We will also tell God that we are sorry for the wrong things that we have done (like when we tell someone we are sorry that we hurt their feelings, etc.) and ask for forgiveness for ourselves and others. And then we will share the peace of God. And we are now ready to share in Jesus meal. Preparing to Learn Have the group sit in a circle on the floor or on chairs around a table big enough to hold everyone. Setting the Worship Environment In the center of the circle place a white cloth or placemat. Reverently place the candle you have chosen. Light it and sit for a moment. Then place the Bible open to one of the stories read in church the closest Sunday to your date. Add an icon of Jesus and storyteller doll or picture. Sit quietly for a moment. Tell the children that the candle reminds us that Jesus said he was the Light of the world and at our baptisms we too receive this light. We are members of God s family and we have come together to worship. Introducing the Lesson We have some story cards today that will help us understand this part of the Eucharist, the portion of the service in which we hear the stories from the Bible and our priest helps us understand what they mean for us today. It is like when our families come together for Thanksgiving or Christmas and they tell what they have been doing, or something that happened some time ago. Our stories help us know who we are and Whose we are. What does that mean? Have you ever heard your parents say, Sally, we do not eat popcorn in this family while swinging. That is not how the Diddledumplins do things. Sally knows that she is a Diddledumplin. Perhaps the Murgatroyds do this but not the Diddledumplins. We will also say something called a Creed which are some words that say what we believe. We will pray for ourselves and others and the world and we will say we are sorry to God for things we have done that we shouldn t have and ask for and receive God s forgiveness. 10

11 The Lesson If you use the Godly Play or Catechesis Bible materials, stop at the end of the Liturgy of the Word. If you use the cards found in this curriculum, stop at the end of the Liturgy of the Word. Open the Prayer Book to the Eucharist setting used in the service most children attend. The cards offer a visual of the words in Bold type. Place the Holy Communion card down in front of you. Then, put down the Service of the Word card. Begin laying the cards down in a circle and briefly explain what is happening. For this lesson, stop when you get to the Peace card. The Godly Play Circle of the Eucharist story can be found in The Complete Guide to Godly Play: Volume 4, page 114. The script for the cards included with this curriculum can be found just after the cards in Appendix 1 of the Resource section. You may ask questions about the Creed. A simple children s creed is found in the Resource Manual on page 9. Responding Hand out the children s drawings from Lesson 2. Invite them to draw the third picture, putting themselves in the Bible Story they drew last week- at the manger, on Easter Sunday at the tomb, etc. to write their prayers. Younger children will need help with the writing. They may wish to decorate the prayer petitions with drawings or stickers. You may wish to have these prayers read by the normal layreader on Sunday morning in lieu of the regular Prayers of the People. Celebrating Close the session with a small cup of juice and some crackers for each child. Do ask if any children have food allergies and be accommodating. Have a brief and simple discussion of the items in the worship center. Have a closing prayer (one of your own choosing or one from the Resource Manual, p. 9). Be sure to include prayers of Thanksgiving. Going Forth Ask how the children will use what they learned today during the week. Extinguish the candle in the worship center and say: Let us go into the world in peace to love and to serve. Alleluia! Children respond: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. (Do not use Alleluias in Advent or Lent.) Drawing Or color pictures of children worshiping, praying, singing. You may wish to have Bible story coloring pages that they could then draw a picture of themselves in that story on the back of the coloring page. Prayers of the People You may wish to help the children write the Prayers of the People. Refer to the outline on page 359 of the Book of Common Prayer. Provide colored note cards and fancy writing implements for the children 11

12 After the Session What went well? Where did you not have enough time? Did you have too much time? What do you need for the next session? What would you most like to remember from this time together? Published by the Christian Formation Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Copyright 2010 The Episcopal Diocese of Texas 12

13 Eucharist Instruction Curriculum Session 4 We Offer Our Gifts Goals To help children appreciate the many gifts they have been given and to share those gifts with others. It is easier to ask for help than to give thanks. What is needed Set up for the environment: White placemat or cloth Pillar candle or candle in larger votive Bible Icon of Jesus Offering Bowl with some money in it Pictures of things for which we are thankful. For the Story: Copy of Agatha s Featherbed by Carmen Deedy For the Response: *Gift Coupons Coupon pattern from Resource Manual p. 6 Colored copying paper for the coupons Stickers, markers, crayons Small gift bag for each child Curling ribbon in variety of colors Stapler Gift tag for the bag for each child *Offering cards Stickers, markers, crayons 3x5 notecards 13

14 Background for Teacher Celebrations are so important to us all, and especially to children. The family is the child s primary source of faith development. Likewise the celebration of the Eucharist is the heart and soul of our faith life. Everything else we do flows out of this. We all come to a fuller sense of the Eucharist as we continue to come together to celebrate this meal. It is our privilege to serve as role models for our children (all our children) of lived faith and love. Children model their lives upon the lives of adults who are important to them. When we share our faith with our children and invite them to grow up in that faith, we ourselves come to a closer relationship with God. Children have a way of cutting to the chase and making something relevant and real. Celebrations are ways in which we remember. We celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries, graduations, baptisms and holidays. We retell the stories of the event; we usually share a meal or food of some sort. We remember who we are in these celebrations and we celebrate who we are because of these events. We don t come to birthday parties with sad faces. We are happy. We are happy to come to the Lord s Table each Sunday where we will meet Jesus! That is good news. And when we come together to celebrate, there is always someone who has worked very hard to make the time special. They may have made special food, cleaned the house, and decorated with flowers, pretty plates. They may have set a beautiful table around which we would eat. This is their gift to us. In the church when we come together to celebrate someone has worked hard to make the time special. Some of these people we never see doing this work. There are people who clean, arrange the flowers, clean the special cloths and dishes we will use in the Eucharist, set out the bread and wine, read the stories so that they know them, prepare a sermon that helps us understand the readings, prepare and practice the music. We have an altar a table on which we celebrate Jesus meal. It is a special and holy place, and it is covered with a beautiful cloth and sometimes a beautiful colored cloth as well. In this lesson we focus on how these are all part of our offerings when the family of God gathers. We will give our gifts of money at the start of this part of the service and some people from the congregation will bring forward the bread and wine to be used in the Eucharist, symbolizing that they are the gifts of the people for the people of God and ask Jesus blessing on them. Preparing to Learn Have the group sit in a circle on the floor or on chairs around a table big enough to hold everyone. Setting the Worship Environment In the center of the circle place a white cloth or placemat. Reverently place the candle you have chosen. Light it and sit for a moment. Then place the Bible open to the story of the widow s mite (Mk 12:41-44; Lk 1-4). Add an icon of Jesus and the offering bowl and pictures. Sit quietly for a moment. Tell the children that the candle reminds us that Jesus said he was the Light of the world and at our baptisms we too receive this light. We are members of God s family and we have come together to worship. Introducing the Lesson What are some things for which you are thankful? How do you thank someone? How do you feel when someone thanks you? What are some things for which we are thankful in our church? How do you get ready for a celebration? 14

15 The Lesson Read the story Agatha s Featherbed by Carmen Deedy. Agatha tells children who come to her shop that nothing comes from nothing, everything comes from something. The borders of each page contain the origin of things we use in our everyday lives. At the end of the book, we find that Agatha cuts off her hair to make little coats for the geese who had given up their feathers for her featherbed. The little geese were so thankful that they left a fresh egg on her doorstep each morning after that. Responding We give our gifts each Sunday during the service. Some of those gifts are money. Some of those gifts are service (altar guild, choir, lay readers, Eucharistic ministers, acolytes, ushers.) Some of the gifts are things that help with our worship like flowers on the altar, music, coffee hour refreshments. Some are gifts that are given to be used at other times (food pantry items, clothing closet items, yard work, repair work.) Some are special gifts of teaching or leading choirs, study groups, etc. Children have gifts to share as well. Talk about gifts the children can share with the church and with others. Offering Cards Give each child a 3x5 index card. Provide stickers and crayons for children to personalize and decorate their cards. Older children can write what they are offering to the church; younger children can draw a picture of their offering. Encourage children to put their cards in the offering plate during the service. Coupon gifts Using the pattern provided on page 6 of the Resource Manual, make copies on different colored paper and cut apart so that each child has a set of coupons. They can either write their gift on the coupon or draw a picture or use stickers. Teachers may need to assist with the writing.after the coupons are finished, gather them into a small gift bag and staple shut. Add some festive-colored curling ribbon and affix a gift tag with the child s intended recipient s name on it. Some thoughts for coupons include helping set the table, making a bed, picking up toys, watering plants, writing a note to a grandparent, etc. Celebrating Close the session with a small cup of juice and some crackers for each child. Do ask if any children have food allergies and be accommodating. Have a brief and simple discussion of the items in the worship center. Have a closing prayer (one of your own choosing or one from the Resource Manual, p. 9). Be sure to include prayers of Thanksgiving. Going Forth Ask how the children will use what they learned today during the week. Extinguish the candle in the worship center and say: Let us go into the world in peace to love and to serve. Alleluia! Children respond: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. (Do not use Alleluias in Advent or Lent.) 15

16 After the Session What went well? Where did you not have enough time? Did you have too much time? What do you need for the next session? What would you most like to remember from this time together? Published by the Christian Formation Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Copyright 2010 The Episcopal Diocese of Texas 16

17 Eucharist Instruction Curriculum Session 5 We Celebrate Goals The Eucharist is the family of God s celebration. What is needed Set up for the environment: White placemat or cloth Pillar candle or candle in larger votive Bible Icon of Jesus Chalice and Paten with wine and bread Arrange a tour of the church to include altar set up for Eucharist sacristy tour and guide presence of clergy 17

18 Background for Teacher The table is prepared as we bring our gifts forward. The priest places the special cup (chalice) and plate (paten) with the bread on it on the altar. A little water is poured in the cup of wine. And now we gather as the family of God to celebrate this special meal. We have been getting ready for this meal in the service to this point. We have gathered as a family, sung our songs, listened to our stories, heard how we might put ourselves into these stories, prayed for ourselves and others, asked for forgiveness and shared the peace of God with our friends. We have offered our gifts of money, bread and wine and now we are ready to come to the meal. This lesson focuses on how we celebrate the meal (Eucharist). We will hear stories and sing songs of praise and thanksgiving. We remember Jesus words to his disciples at the last Passover meal when he told them to eat the bread and drink the wine and to remember him and he would be with them. We hear this as a story. We will pray that Jesus will use us for his work. This is like the grace we would say before each meal that we eat. And then as the family of God we are invited to pray the prayer Jesus taught us, The Lord s Prayer. We may sing another song reminding us that we are the family of God coming together for a special meal not just any meal. The bread and wine are symbols of Jesus body and blood. We are not really eating meat and drinking blood. We will hear the words the Body of Christ given for you. The Blood of Christ shed for you. We will respond with Amen to show that we believe this. We don t know exactly how this happens or when it happens, but we believe that we are sharing in Christ s sacrifice to us and that he loves us. We will sing hymns or the choir will sing during this time. It is a joyful time, a festive time, not a sad time. We can think about sharing a meal with Jesus, his disciples and all the saints who have gone on before us we are all together. When we return to our seat we either kneel or sit. We will want to say a prayer to quietly thank God for this special meal. Now, when we have dinner at someone s home, we don t rush off as soon as dessert is finished. We stay a bit and visit and we certainly thank the host/hostess for a lovely time and meal before we leave. So the same is true for the Eucharist. After everyone has finished and returned to their pews, we all say a prayer of thanksgiving. We may also say special prayers and give some bread and wine to a person called a Eucharistic Visitor who will take communion to someone in the church who might be too sick to come to church. Then we join in singing a hymn and get ready to leave. Preparing to Learn Have the group sit in a circle on the floor or on chairs around a table big enough to hold everyone. Setting the Worship Environment In the center of the circle place a white cloth or placemat. Reverently place the candle you have chosen. Light it and sit for a moment. Then place the Bible open to the story of Jesus Last Supper (Mt 26:17-29; Mk 14:12-25; Lk 22:7-23). Add an icon of Jesus and the cup, plate with bread and cruet of wine. Sit quietly for a moment. Tell the children that the candle reminds us that Jesus said he was the Light of the world and at our baptisms we too receive this light. We are members of God s family and we have come together to worship. 18

19 Introducing the Lesson Use the Circle of the Eucharist cards for this lesson. (You can either use the Godly Play cards or the cards included in the Resource Manual of this curriculum.) Place the Service of the Word cards in front of the children as a review of the first part of the service - the Liturgy of the Word. Add the Service of Holy Communion cards in order. This is a good time to talk about manners how we move, stand or kneel, receive communion, being mindful of the people on either side of us at the communion rail. Be very specific in showing the children how people receive communion in your church. It is a good time to have the children taste the (unconsecrated) wafers or bread and wine. The Lesson You may wish to present this lesson on the floor in the chancel area of your church. Place the cards in order for the Holy Communion portion of the service. As you place each card give the story of the action. The Godly Play Circle of the Eucharist story can be found in The Complete Guide to Godly Play: Volume 4, page 114. The script and the cards included with this curriculum can be found in Appendix 1 of the Resource Manual. Responding Invite the children to gather around the altar. Either the teacher or an altar guild member or clergy can point out the fair linen, the crosses carved on the top of the altar, the chalice, paten, cruets, purificators, etc. Make the connection with everyday items the children can relate to plates, cups, napkins, etc. If time permits visit the sacristy to see where these things are stored, where the preparatory work is done. Talk about the different kinds of things used some churches will have a silver communion set along with pottery, etc. Talk about the different times these things are used. Mention that these things are normally given as gifts by people in the church. Celebrating Have the children prepare and serve a special snack, more elaborate than the juice and crackers (perhaps cupcakes decorated, some juice and some special decorations hats, blowers, balloons.) While eating, talk about special meals shared in the family. How was the meal prepared, who prepared it, what did they do to help. Help the children write a special meal blessing and a special prayer of thanksgiving they can say after receiving communion. Going Forth Ask how the children will use what they learned today during the week. Extinguish the candle in the worship center and say: Let us go into the world in peace to love and to serve. Alleluia! Children respond: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. (Do not use Alleluias in Advent or Lent.) 19

20 After the Session What went well? Where did you not have enough time? Did you have too much time? What do you need for the next session? What would you most like to remember from this time together? Published by the Christian Formation Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Copyright 2010 The Episcopal Diocese of Texas 20

21 Eucharist Instruction Curriculum Session 6 The Dismissal Goals Our worship is over, we have heard the stories, we have given gifts and we have celebrated. Now the work begins. We will learn how we can go out into the world during the next week and share the good news. What is needed Set up for the environment: White placemat or cloth Pillar candle or candle in larger votive Bible Icon of Jesus Car keys, calendar, schoolbook, toy For the Response: Copy of the weekly calendar for each child on colored paper (Resource Manual p. 7) Super-Sculpey brand clay 2 balls for each child. 21

22 Background for Teacher We have come together as a family, heard our stories, learned how we could put ourselves into these stories, sung praises, prayed, asked for forgiveness and have forgiven others, celebrated with Jesus in his feast. We have thanked him for this wonderful meal and now we have to leave. We are going out in to the world. What will we do differently this week? How will we live into the Gospel message we heard today? The last words we hear in the liturgy are Let us go forth in the name of the Lord! And we respond, Thanks be to God, Alleluia. We are going out into the world. What does this mean for us? What will we do differently this week? How will we live into the Gospel message we heard today? The easy part of our day is finished. The hard part is beginning. How do we feel when we leave a family celebration? We are glad we were together, we have heard new stories, relived old stories, eaten good food. We celebrated. We may even have been given gifts. We have given thanks. We have a good idea of who we are and whose we are. Isn t this the same as we leave worship? And what gifts have been given us! This lesson focuses on our leaving - going out- to the world. Preparing to Learn Have the group sit in a circle on the floor or on chairs around a table big enough to hold everyone. Setting the Worship Environment In the center of the circle place a white cloth or placemat. Reverently place the candle you have chosen. Light it and sit for a moment. Then place the Bible open to the story of the Great Commission, Mat. 28: Add an icon of Jesus and car keys, school book or toy. Sit quietly for a moment. Tell the children that the candle reminds us that Jesus said he was the Light of the world and at our baptisms we too receive this light. We are members of God s family and we have come together to worship. Introducing the Lesson How do we feel when a party is over? A special family meal? Christmas? What do we do when we leave? What do we do as we get ready to leave church? (We have a prayer of thanksgiving.) We then hear good-bye words. What are those words? (Let us go forth in the name of the Lord to love and serve. And we say, Thanks be to God. ) The Lesson The Good Shepherd and the World Communion (Godly Play and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd) is a wonderful conclusion for this course. Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge is a great book about remembering and memories. As he collects things to help Miss Nancy with her memory, his selfless gifts of love can serve as a model for us during the week. What can we remember from our time together on Sunday to help us during the week? 22

23 Responding Clay chalice and patten Have children form Super Sculpey into a simple chalice and plate. Bake according to directions on the box. Children may paint if desired when the items are cooled. A Memory Game Make 2 copies of the cards found on page 8 of the Resource Manual. Turn cards face down and match the pairs. Calendar Page As part of family devotions, sit down and organize your month to include service to others, devotion time, church time, prayers time, family activities. Post in a prominent place and then follow the calendar. A blank calendar can be found on page 7 of the Resource Manual. Celebrating Close the session with a small cup of juice and some crackers for each child. Do ask if any children have food allergies and be accommodating. Have a brief and simple discussion of the items in the worship center. Have a closing prayer (one of your own choosing or one from the Resource Manual, p. 9). Be sure to include prayers of Thanksgiving. Going Forth Extinguish the candle in the worship center and say: Let us go into the world in peace to love and to serve. Alleluia! Children respond: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. (Do not use Alleluias in Advent or Lent.) After the Session What went well? Where did you not have enough time? Did you have too much time? What would you most like to remember from this time together? Published by the Christian Formation Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Copyright 2010 The Episcopal Diocese of Texas 23